It has been reported that North Korea has recently begun ensuring the safety of railway operations and inspecting and repairing railway-related facilities through the Ministry of Social Safety and the Cabinet Ministry of Railways. This is interpreted as a measure to ensure logistics transportation using railways.
According to Daily NK South Pyongan Province on the 14th, the Ministry of Social Security issued a proclamation across the country at the end of last month titled, ‘Never engage in any act that may impede the safe operation of trains.’
In this proclamation, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security announced a policy of strengthening security for locomotives and trains, predicting strong punishment for damage to railway facilities and cargo theft. He also warned that any actions that interfere with the safe operation of the railroad, such as installing obstacles on the railroad tracks or throwing stones at trains, will be strictly monitored and punished.
North Korea views railroads as an important artery for the national economy and local development. Accordingly, the need for stable operation of railways continues to be emphasized.
A source said, “This is a measure to resolve the problems of facility leakage and cargo theft that frequently occurred in the railway sector over the past period,” adding, “It appears to be particularly focused on ensuring the transportation of cargo volume for damage recovery construction.”
He said, “Reports from the field that damage recovery work is being delayed due to a lack of materials are continuously being reported to the central government, and it is pointed out that one of the reasons is that the problem of cargo theft continues to occur during railway operation.” He added, “Maybe that is why. “Now, here (in North Korea), there are voices saying, ‘Guaranteeing the transportation of goods means guaranteeing the speed of damage recovery.’”
Meanwhile, in line with the decree of the Ministry of Social Safety, the Cabinet Ministry of Railways reportedly issued instructions for inspection and repair of railway facilities, locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars to the railway transportation sector early this month. The so-called ‘self-inspection and repair’ (self-inspection and repair)sincechecksincebuild) It is an instruction.
It is said that in response to this order, the Gaecheon Railway Bureau immediately began inspecting railway facilities and discussing maintenance measures to facilitate railway transportation. At the same time, it is known that instructions were given to each repair and maintenance platoon to prepare materials such as rails, rails, sleepers, steel, cement, and logs necessary for repairing railway facilities.
However, the source said, “It may be possible to inspect railway facilities, but the reality is that it is difficult to repair insufficient equipment and accessories on one’s own,” adding, “In the end, to ensure railway operation and transportation, it is necessary to strengthen security and patrols and increase the number of convoys to protect cargo.” “There are not many other options available,” he said.
Source: www.dailynk.com
